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By
NICK ZEGARAC
Darryl F. Zanuck’s Jesse
James (1939) is an inspired bit of Hollywood hokum
that romanticizes one of the most notorious
outlaws in U.S. history all out of proportion. The
film stars resident studio heartthrob Tyrone Power
as the title character. Jesse’s not bad. He’s just
misunderstood, and, to hear the film tell,
actually a rather respected and quietly admired
part of his community – a modern day Robin Hood
with a heart of gold and a bag of as much strapped
to his side saddle.
The plot, scripted by Nunnally Johnson, is paper
thin at best. Barshee (Brian Donlevy) is working
for the railroad corporation that aims to run its
iron horse right through the property of several
impoverished farm families. Barshee and his posse
first arrive at the James homestead offering to
pay a minor fee for the land. But the deal is a
‘no sale’ and Barshee returns hours later to force
the family off their property, accidentally
murdering Ma James.
Jesse (Power) and his brother, Frank (Henry Fonda)
are understandably fuming mad and thirsty for
revenge. Together with others who have been run
off their land in the name of progress, Jesse
forms a gang of desperados who set about
terrorizing and robbing passengers on the trains
that eventually come through their town. Their
daring raids make all the papers and fuel the
determination of Marshall Will Wright (Randolph
Scott) to put an end to the gang’s stealth and
popularity once and for all.
Soon, Wright’s ‘Wanted: Dead or Alive’ posters
decorate every saloon, town hall and mail outpost
in the country. Although the town’s folk fear and
revere their home grown crusader, eventually, the
lure of reward monies appeals to one of Jesse’s
own gang members, Robert Ford (John Carradine).
Director Henry King delivers a rather uninspired
film, rich in maudlin melodrama, action clichés
and a troubled romance between Jesse and the
town’s wild flower, Zerelda Zee Cobb (Nancy
Kelly). Eschewing history in support of promoting
Power’s image as a virulent stud – soon to become
Fox’s most bankable star – the film plays much
more like a B-western with A-list talent, than a
top notch production from a major studio. Shot
primarily on location in Pineville Missouri, the
film does have something of a visual authenticity
working for it and Power, though miscast,
nevertheless delivers the goods as the hunk de
jour.
Unfortunately, executives at Fox responsible for
this DVD ought to be morbidly ashamed of their
‘efforts.’ One of the worse looking DVD
presentations this reviewer has ever seen – the
blue layer of Jesse James’ Technicolor negative is
mis-registered throughout almost the entire
presentation, resulting in a garish halo effect
that renders the image blurry and out of focus.
In the brief instances where all three strips of
color negative are realigned, one can see how time
has not been kind to the original film stock.
Sporting a predominantly blue/green tint, colors
are muddy, unrefined and dull. Flesh tones are a
garish faded pink. Whites adopt either a blue or
yellow tint. Fine details are completely lost in
an image that is quite often much too dark.
Contrast levels are low. Age related artifacts
exist throughout. This is an abysmal presentation
that simply cannot be recommended on any level. It
is without merit. DO NOT BUY THIS DISC!
The audio is presented in both mono and
rechanneled stereo – both are adequate but just
barely. Movietone news reels and the original
theatrical trailer are the only extras. One could
expect – and even possible forgive – a
fly-by-night bootlegger for such a mastering
effort. From a big outfit like Fox, the results
are reprehensible – even if the disc retails for
under $20. In point of fact, it is not worth
twenty cents! |
